MADRID, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Alaves claimed three vital points in its efforts to avoid relegation from La Liga with a 1-0 win at home to Villareal on Saturday afternoon, but it came at a price for goalkeeper Antonio Sivera.

Sivera made several important first-half saves to keep his side in the lead after Manu Sanchez's 11th minute header, but had to be carried off the pitch in the 58th minute after colliding with Villarreal striker Ayoze Perez as he looked to cut out a through ball.

Sivera was caught on his head by Perez's knee and needed over 10 minutes' treatment on the pitch, before being shown a red card after the VAR showed he had blocked Perez's shot with his arm outside of the penalty area.

The goalkeeper was then taken to hospital in the city of Vitoria for further tests, where he was diagnosed with concussion and had to remain overnight.

However, Sivera also needed a minor operation to reconstruct his lip, which had been badly split open in the impact with Perez.

The goalkeeper is expected to be allowed home on Sunday, but won't play again until the end of the month as he is suspended for next Friday's vital relegation clash away to Las Palmas. Enditem

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